Better directions. Remarkable convenience. Fewer arguments. These are just a few of the benefits provided by car navigation systems. Learn what they can do for you.

By Samuel Greengard

During the last few years, automobile navigation systems have evolved from high-priced novelties to mainstream tools. These systems offer sophisticated capabilities and remarkable convenience. In fact, they make it almost impossible to get lost. And for motorists with older vehicles, a limited budget or a need to stay mobile, portable global positioning system (GPS) devices can pave the way toward better directions … and fewer arguments.

Alpine, Clarion, Cobra, Garmin, LG, Lowrance, Magellan, TomTom and other companies offer devices that mount on a vehicle’s dashboard and provide many of the same capabilities as their built-in cousins — plus a few features that built-in systems don’t yet offer. Most include preloaded maps, touch-screen displays, selectable 2-D and 3-D views, turn-by-turn voice prompts through the car’s audio system and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, so that you can call hotels, restaurants and other points of interest hands-free using your mobile phone. Prices of these units typically range from $300 to $1,000.

The appeal is undeniable. “Mobility is one of the biggest advantages of a portable navigation system,” notes Carly Baltes, a spokesperson for Garmin International. “Not only can you take a portable GPS out of the car and use it for on-foot navigation, you can also transfer a portable GPS to another vehicle.”

Furthermore, portable units generally offer more leading-edge technology than their in-dash counterparts. That’s because the design timeline for building a vehicle is several years, compared to a year or less for portable navigation products.

A diverse array of consumers find portable car navigation units appealing. According to Baltes, they range “from on-the-go moms attempting to conquer the best route to the soccer game, to the businessman on his way to an important meeting, to a recent college graduate navigating his or her way around a brand new city.” A growing number of mobile phones also offer mapping and GPS services, but these devices provide small screens and often aren’t optimized for use in an automobile.

Becoming Part of Life

Geo-awareness is growing and becoming a key part of everyday life, points out Joanne Aliber, director of product management at TomTom. The company’s TomTom MapShare technology, available on its GO 720 unit, lets users instantly modify street names, street directions and points of interest on their own devices. A built-in FM transmitter provides turn-by-turn voice instructions over a car’s sound system, as well as access to real-time traffic and weather news. And a “Help Me!” feature provides quick access to local emergency providers, such as police, fire stations and hospitals.

Garmin’s nüvi product line is also helping people get a sense of direction. The nüvi 200 provides 2-D or 3-D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. It also features a color touch screen that displays preloaded maps of the continental United States, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. (Alaska is included in other models as you move up in the nüvi series.) The nüvi 200 also accepts points of interest, such as school zones, which alert you when you enter the area. Meanwhile, Garmin’s nüvi 680 provides local weather, traffic updates, gas prices, movie times and more — through integrated real-time MSN Direct access, which costs $49.95 per year.

Although portable vehicle navigation devices are legal in every state, California and Minnesota require that they be mounted rather than attached with a suction cup. As with any device that’s used while driving, it’s crucial to keep your eyes on the road and use voice technology to provide audible directions. “Taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road for a half-second can lead to a crash,” says David Strayer, a professor of psychology at the University of Utah and a leading expert on distracted driving.

Today, virtually all GPS devices operate without additional activation charges or monthly fees, but you should check on a particular system before you buy it. Most manufacturers offer one or two updates per year at a cost of $75 to $100. Also, newer real-time services such as MSN Direct usually incur a monthly or annual subscription fee.

Map data is transferred to a GPS device via a universal serial bus (USB) port or a secure digital (SD) card. Almost all portable GPS devices use lithium ion batteries that last between two and seven hours.

Not surprisingly, portable navigation units are becoming more sophisticated all the time. Some manufacturers are combining GPS devices with media players and MP3 units, and next-generation systems offer real-time traffic displays and map updates via a cellular link.

“Consumers should look for features in a GPS device that fit their particular interests or lifestyle,” advises TomTom’s Aliber. “By incorporating a portable navigation system in one’s daily life, it’s possible to reduce stress and improve the driving experience.”

Bio: Samuel Greengard is a veteran technology journalist based in West Linn, Ore. His articles have appeared in numerous publications, including Discover, Wired, American Way, Hemispheres, Acura Style, Ford Times, and the AAA publications Journey and Westways.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of Progressive Casualty Insurance Company or its affiliates.